Drinking Cup With Valved Cap For Fluid Retention

ABSTRACT

A drinking appliance for young children is provided. The appliance includes a cap having an upper side with a protrusion extending upwardly from the upper side defining a spout which terminates in a fluid outlet and a lower side having a retainer sleeve extending downwardly from the spout and adapted to retain a valve housing. Also included is a valve housing including a valve holder having an upwardly extending hollow cylindrical projection adapted to fit in the retainer sleeve of the cap and terminating in a valve head seat for maintaining the valve in operational position when the appliance is used, a bidirectional valve having a head section with a centrally disposed port and a downwardly extending valve element that terminates in a bottom slit defining a valve orifice that opens and closes to selectively allow fluid to flow out of the spout or to allow air and excess fluid to flow back into the cup, and a valve retainer that attaches to the valve holder and is formed with a centrally disposed bore into which the downwardly extending valve element is removably seated.

BACKGROUND

The invention concern drinking cups and more particularly drinking cups having a valved cap for controlling fluid flow from the cup to the user of the cup and back into the cup.

Drinking cups for young children often include a cap with an apertured spout having a valve to prevent fluid from being spilled from the cup. Traditional cups like this are difficult and time consuming to clean and if not done properly the valve can become unsanitary. With some of these cups it is difficult to determine when the valve should be cleaned and if it is properly cleaned. Not only must the valve be easy to clean and easy to tell if it requires cleaning, the valve must be fast acting to prevent spillage. In addition, the valve must permit fluid to flow easily to allow use by a small child and allow fluid left in the spout to re-drain into the drinking cup. Further, the drinking cup and valve must be mechanically simple and when the cap and valve are disassembled the loose pieces must be easy and apparent to reassemble and large enough not to be lost yet fit and operate in the small interior size of the cup cap.

Exemplary know drinking cups have a cap that includes a first valve to control fluid flow out of the spout and a second valve to control air flow into the drinking cup. This cap and valve arrangement increases the number of pieces, adds expense to the product manufacture, and increases the sanitation and possible malfunction problems. Also, if one of these valves becomes even partially inoperative, the cup will not work. With two valves, the likelihood of this happening is doubled.

Silicon rubber valves are known that can be used for dispensing food in a controlled manner. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,439,143 and 5,409,144. Silicon can be difficult to retain in place and valves of this sort are typically too large to fit in a child-sized drinking cup having a spouted cap. One solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,621, which teaches a removable valve cartridge containing a single two-way valve for a child-sized drinking cup with a spouted cap. The cartridge includes a valve holder and a valve retaining ring and the silicon valve is of the type described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,439,143 and 5,409,144 and marketed by Liquid Molding Systems, Inc.

An even simpler drinking cup having less parts would be advantageous from a manufacturing standpoint and from a consumer use standpoint. Such a cup is disclosed herein.

INVENTION SUMMARY

The invention is a drinking cup appliance for young children having a body and a cap that is formed and adapted to cover and sealingly engage with the drinking cup. The cap is formed with an integral spout and has one or more fluid outlets in its tip portion to enable fluid to flow through the outlets and out of the drinking cup. Disposed within the interior of the spout portion of the cap is a tubular valve retainer sleeve formed and positioned to receive a valve housing containing a single, bidirectional valve that, when disposed within the sleeve, is able to permit the flow of fluid out of the drinking cup and allow fluid left in the spout to re-drain into the drinking cup.

The valve housing includes a valve holder that is formed and adapted to receive a valve and maintain it in its functional position. The valve holder has a planer member and a hollow cylindrical projection upwardly extending therefrom that is formed to press fit the valve holder into the retainer sleeve, of the cap spout. The cylindrical projection is further formed to receive and hold a valve. At its upper end, the cylindrical projection is formed with an interiorly positioned, finned, valve head seat which maintains the valve in the proper functional position when the appliance is in use.

The valve holder is further formed with handle, downwardly extending from the planer member to allow for easy removal and cleaning. The housing also includes a single, bidirectional valve which is removably and press fittingly inserted into the cylindrical projection of the valve holder. The valve is a combination umbrella/duckbill valve. It includes a circumferentially angled top portion terminating in a flat head section that is formed with a centrally disposed port, which forms the umbrella portion of the valve. At the bottom of the valve is a downwardly extending valve element that terminates in a bottom slit or duckbill, which defines a valve orifice that closes and opens to selectively allow fluid to flow around the valve (closed position) and out of the spout or to allow air into the valve (open position) and excess fluid to flow back into the cup, thus allowing the valve to operate as a single, bi-directional valve. The valve housing also includes a valve retainer that attaches to the valve holder to hold the valve in place within the housing. Preferably, the two parts, valve housing and valve retainer, are sonic welded together.

The valve retainer has a substantially planer top, an annular, shouldered, bottom, and contiguous, circumferential wall formed and positioned therebetween. The retainer is also formed with a centrally disposed bore into which the downwardly extending valve element is removably seated. For fluid and air movement the valve retainer is further formed having a plurality of cut-outs in its top.

The cup is a standard container having an internally threaded upper end for removably mounting the cap on the cup. The cap has an oblate or slightly convex top with a depending collar that has an external thread that is formed and adapted to threadedly engage the threaded upper end of the cup. The cap top may also include an outer circumferential shoulder or flange that extends around the cap concentrically with and outside of the external thread. The outer shoulder flange forms a recess for receiving a sealing ring to sealingly engage the upper edge of the cup to form a seal between the cap and the cup when the cap is mounted on the open end of the cup and twisted to a closed and sealed position. The sealing ring may be constructed of any of the usual materials employed. Alternatively, the cap top and upper edge of the cup may be angled to form a plastic-to-plastic seal.

The top of cap has a integral spout that projects from one side upwardly to form a cone-like structure with a protruding top end or tip that has one or more spaced-apart fluid outlets which are sized to provide adequate fluid flow for a young user. A cylindrically shaped, tubular, interior retainer sleeve extends downwardly from the tip of spout and is designed to closely receive and retain the valve housing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drinking cup and cap appliance of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan end views of the cap illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines A-A, B-B, and C-C, respectively in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the valve cartridge illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the valve cartridge illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an end plan view of the valve cartridge illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional views taken along the lines A-A in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the valve retainer illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is an end plan view of the valve retainer illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the valve retainer taken along the lines B-B in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the valve illustrated in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the valve taken along the lines C-C in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19A-19C shows the valve in operation. 19A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the appliance at rest. 19B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the fluid flow through the valve when suction is applied to the appliance in a tilted, drinking position. 19 C. is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the air flow through the valve when suction is disengaged and the appliance is uprighted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, and “horizontal”, related to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the drawings and described in this specification are exemplary embodiments of the invention defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments are not to be considered limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a drinking cup and cap appliance, 4, of the invention including a cap, 6, adapted to cover a drinking cup, 5. Cap 6 is formed with an integral spout, 7, and spout 7 is formed with fluid outlets, 15, in its uppermost portion. Fluid outlets 15 can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6. The interior of spout 7 is formed with a tubular retainer sleeve, 14, positioned proximate but in spaced apart relation to the top, or tip, of the spout. See FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. Retainer sleeve 14 defines a passageway to the spout. A valve housing, 25, is formed to be removably inserted in the retainer sleeve in a press to fit manner as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. Other details of the cap and the cup will be described infra.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-18, the valve housing, 25, includes a valve holder, 26, formed and adapted to receive a valve and maintain it in its functional position. As illustrated in FIG. 9-12, valve holder 26 has a planer member, 29, and an hollow cylindrical projection, 27, upwardly extending therefrom, that is formed to press fit the valve holder into the retainer sleeve, 14, of the cap spout, 7. Cylindrical projection 27 is further formed to receive and hold a valve. At its upper end, cylindrical projection 27 is formed with an interiorly positioned, finned, valve head seat, 30, which maintains the valve in the proper functional position when the appliance is in use and allow for fluid flow from the cup to the spout. Valve holder 26 is further formed with handle 28 downwardly extending from planer member 29 to allow for easy removal and cleaning.

Valve housing 25 also includes a single, bidirectional valve, 35, illustrated in detail in FIGS. 16-18, which is removably and press fittingly inserted into the cylindrical projection 27 of the valve holder 26. Valve 35 includes a circumferentially angled top portion, 36, terminating in a flat head section, 37, that is formed with a centrally disposed port, 38. At the bottom of the valve is downwardly extending valve element 39, with a bottom slit, 40, that defines a valve orifice that opens and closes to selectively allow fluid to flow out of the spout or to allow air and excess fluid to flow back into the cup, thus allowing the valve to operate as a single, bi-directional valve. Valve 35 may be made of Silicone with a durometer between 50 and 70 shore A. The valve is a combination umbrella/duckbill valve. The umbrella portion of the valve lets fluid out when it is under suction from the child. The duckbill portion of the valve lets air into the cup when the drinker stops sucking. In such a valve, these two functions are independent of each other, but combined in a single valve. An exemplary valve that may be used in the appliance of the invention is manufactured and sold by Minivalve, Inc. of (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) Minivalve International, Jaartsveldstraat 5a, 7575 BP, ldenzaal, The Netherlands Part number CV 125.007-154.01).

Valve housing 25 also includes a substantially ring-shaped valve retainer 50 that attaches to the valve holder, 26, to hold the valve in place within the housing while the appliance is in use. The attachment is preferably permanent, but a snap close attachment may be used also. Valve retainer 50 has substantially planer top, 51, an annular, shouldered, bottom, 52, and contiguous, circumferential wall, 55, formed and positioned therebetween. The retainer is also formed with a centrally disposed bore, 53, into which downwardly extending valve element 39 is removably seated. For fluid and air movement valve retainer 50 is further formed having a plurality of cut-outs, 54, in planer top 51.

Cup 5 is a standard container having an internally threaded upper end, 10, for removably mounting the cap, 6, on the cup. Cap 6 has an oblate or slightly convex top, 9, with a depending collar 12. Collar 12 has an external thread, 19, formed and adapted to threadedly engage the threaded upper end 16 of the cup. Cap top 9 includes an outer circumferential shoulder flange, 20, that extends around the cap concentrically with and outside of the external thread, 19. Outer shoulder flange 20 forms a recess for receiving a washer-like sealing ring, 60, which is formed and positioned to sealingly engage the upper edge of cup 5 to form a seal between cap 6 and the cup 5 when the cap is mounted on the open end of the cup and twisted to a closed and sealed position. Outer shoulder flange 20 and sealing ring 45 may be eliminated if desired.

The top, 21, of cap 6 has a generally circular shape in plan view, and the spout, 7, projects from one side upwardly to form a cone-like structure. Spout 7 is formed integrally with cap 6 and includes generally arcuate, upwardly extending front and rear walls, 17 and 16, respectively, that converge to form a protruding end or tip, 22, of the spout. Tip 22 is formed with one or more spaced-apart fluid outlets, 15, which are sized to provide adequate fluid flow for a young user. A cylindrically shaped, tubular, interior retainer sleeve, 14, extends downwardly from tip 22 of spout 7. The sleeve is designed to closely receive and retain the valve.

The cup, cap and valve housing may be formed from the same or different materials, such as polymers and plastics that are rigid enough to hold their shape and resilient enough to not break when dropped or degrade when washed.

Referring now to FIG. 19A-C, during use, valve 35 is inserted upwardly into the bottom of valve holder 26 and valve retainer 50 is permanently ultrasonically welded into place so that valve element 39 extends downward through bore 43. This assembly forms valve housing 25. The valve housing 25 is then inserted into the retainer sleeve 14 in the interior of the cap spout so that the hollow cylindrical projection 27 of the valve holder press fits into the retainer sleeve 14. The cup is filled with fluid and the cap is then twisted into the cup until the two are sealingly engaged. When the user creates a vacuum in the container by sucking on the spout through the fluid outlets, 15, the fluid in the cup flows around the closed duckbill portion of the valve and around the umbrella portion of the valve through the cut-outs 54 in the planer top of the valve retainer and the finned head seat 30 of the cylindrical projection in the valve holder. When the drinker ceases sucking on the spout, the differential pressure due to the vacuum causes the slit in valve element 39 of the valve to open and allows air to flow through the valve via the central bore and the slit and into the cup. Air is thus drawn back through valve 35 to equalize the pressure differential in the interior of the cup as a consequence of dispensing liquid from the cup. If any fluid is trapped in the spout, that fluid flows back into the container when air is sucked back into the cup. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drinking appliance for young children comprising: a cap having an upper side with a protrusion extending upwardly from the upper side defining a spout which terminates in a fluid outlet and a lower side, the lower side having a retainer sleeve extending downwardly and formed and positioned within the spout to receive and retain a valve housing; a valve housing including a valve holder formed and adapted to receive a valve, said valve holder having an upwardly extending hollow cylindrical projection adapted to fit in the retainer sleeve of the cap, said cylindrical projection being formed to receive and hold a valve and terminating in a valve head seat for maintaining the valve in functional position when the appliance is used, a bidirectional valve having a head section with a centrally disposed port and a downwardly extending valve element that terminates in a bottom slit defining a valve orifice that opens and closes to selectively allow fluid to flow out of the spout or to allow air and excess fluid to flow back into the cup, and a valve retainer that attaches to the valve holder, said valve retainer being formed with a centrally disposed bore into which the downwardly extending valve element is removably seated.
 2. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the valve housing is constructed to friction fit into the retainer sleeve of the cap.
 3. The appliance according to claim 2 wherein the valve retainer permanently attaches to the cylindrical projection of the valve holder.
 4. The appliance according to claim 2 wherein the valve retainer is formed with a plurality of cut-outs in its top for fluid and air movement through the valve housing.
 5. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the valve holder includes a handle to facilitate removal and installation of the valve housing in the retainer sleeve of the cap.
 6. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the valve head seat of the cylindrical projection of the valve holder has a centrally disposed hole and a plurality of fins extending between the edge of the hole and the rim of the valve head seat.
 7. The appliance according to claim 1 wherein the valve is composed of Silicone with a durometer of 50 to 70 shore A.
 8. A drinking appliance for young children comprising: a cup having an internally threaded mating upper end; a cap having an upper side with a protrusion extending upwardly from the upper side defining a spout which terminates in a fluid outlet and a lower side, the lower side having a valve housing sleeve extending downwardly and formed and positioned within the spout to receive and retain a valve housing, and a downwardly extending, externally threaded collar; a valve housing including a valve holder formed and adapted to receive a valve, said valve holder having an upwardly extending hollow cylindrical projection adapted to fit in the retainer sleeve of the cap, said cylindrical projection being formed to receive and hold a valve and terminating in a valve head seat for maintaining the valve in functional position when the appliance is used, a bidirectional valve having a circumferentially angled top portion terminating in a flat head section having a centrally disposed port and a downwardly extending valve element that terminates in a bottom slit defining a valve orifice that opens and closes to selectively allow fluid to flow out of the spout or to allow air and excess fluid to flow back into the cup, and a valve retainer that permanently attaches to the valve holder, said valve retainer being formed with a centrally disposed bore into which the downwardly extending valve element is removably seated.
 9. A drinking appliance for young children comprising: a cup defining an opening; a cap sealingly engaging the cup to cover the opening when installed on the cup, said cap defining a cavity with said cup when installed on said cup, the cap having an upper side with an upwardly extending spout and a lower side with a tube section extending downwardly therefrom defining a passageway leading to the spout; a valve housing releasably attached to the tube section on the lower side of the cap; a bidirectional valve separate from the valve housing and mateably engaging the valve holder and adapted to control fluid flow through the spout by means of a centrally disposed port that terminates in a single, bottom slit defining a valve orifice that opens and closes to selectively allow fluid to flow out of the spout or to allow air and excess fluid to flow back into the cup; and a valve retainer separate from the valve holder and formed to permanently attach to the valve holder to hold the valve in an operational position within the cap. 